Joe Messina, the American jazz guitarist died on April 4, 2022, at his son Joel Messina’s Northville home, Michigan at the age of 93. Joel has confirmed that his father died of natural cause.
Messina was born on December 13, 1928. He was one of the most prolific guitarists in Motown Records’ in-house studio band, the Funk Brothers.
Messina and his wife, Josie Messina, who died in 2009, had two children, a son Joel Messina and a daughter, Janice Coppa. He also had four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Before his passing, Messina was among the last surviving players from the Funk Brothers’ core early group. Motown Records founder Berry Gordy recruited Messina in 1958 for his Hitsville U.S.A. studio musicians group, Funk Brothers.
The group’s contributions to Motown were brought to wider notice with the acclaimed 2002 documentary standing in the Shadows of Motown, in which Messina featured prominently.
Funeral Arrangements will be handled by Harry J Willis Funeral Homes in Livonia. Details are expected to be announced later this week.
